The Department of Health has sought to assure the nation not to panic, following the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant, known as Nimbus or NB.1.8.1. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) the variant has been recorded in more than 20 countries, including India, Thailand, Indonesia and China.
The WHO has since designated it a “variant under monitoring” due to its growing presence. Despite this, the department spokesperson Foster Mohale, said there’s no need for citizens to panic, as they learnt a lot from the COVID-19 pandemic. Mohale was speaking on YouFM Newshour.
“We developed what we call the Pandemic Response and Preparedness Plan after the COVID-19 pandemic, to counter any new pandemic that may arise. We work with other stakeholders under the guidance of the WHO, who helped to empowered and imparted knowledge on us. They assisted with technical information and trained some of our experts on how to work towards countering some of these new pandemics,” said the department spokesperson, Foster Mohale.
In addition, Mohale said the department has strengthened its health system, since the outbreak of COVID-19. This he said also includes the improvement in the country’s surveillance system to detect any pandemics.
“South Africa has one of the most robust surveillance systems which can detect and monitor emerging variants or any new outbreak of a pandemic. We’re amongst the leading countries in the continent with a very effective and robust system, using our early warning system to identify the problem on its way to land. We strongly believe that we will be able to counter and strengthen our systems to counter and mitigate the impact of the new emerging variant or the outbreak of diseases,” explained Mohale.
To help mitigate the situation locally, the department has urged residents to continue practicing non-pharmaceutical interventions that were done at the peak of COVID-19.
“These include maintaining personal and hand hygiene, washing hands with soap and water, using sanitisers, and covering their mouth when they cough or sneeze. Those who don’t feel uncomfortable in crowded areas feel free to wear musk. But this is not mandatory, people should remain vigilant all the time, but there’s no need to panic,” emphasised the spokesperson.
Furthermore, Mohale encouraged those who experience any forms of symptoms related to COVID-19, flu or any respiratory diseases, not to waste time, self-diagnose, not to self-treat, but present themselves at the nearest health facilities. His warning comes as the country is experiencing a seasonal rise in influenza.
“This is especially for those who experience symptoms that do not disappear or recover within a period of three days, they must present themselves at the nearest health facility, so that the nurses can screen you so that they can put you on the right treatment,” appealed Mohale.
